The Kwara State Fire Service has launched a search and rescue operation for a man reportedly missing in the Asa River following an altercation along Emir’s Road in Ilorin.
The incident occurred on Saturday, at Asa Bridge, after the service received a distress call concerning a man who had entered the river during a confrontation.
In a statement issued by the service’s Public Relations Officer, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the firefighters said they received the emergency call and arrived at the scene at 10:15 a.m.
According to information gathered at the scene, an altercation reportedly occurred between two adults, leaving one person injured.
During the incident, a man identified as Abubakar reportedly ran towards the river and jumped in. Another man, identified as 42-year-old Nasiru, who had attempted to intervene, also entered the river and was subsequently reported to have drowned.
Following the report, firefighters immediately commenced an intensive search and rescue operation to locate Nasiru.
However, despite several hours of searching, the operation had yet to produce the desired result as of the time the statement was issued.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, was present at the scene to supervise the operation and provide leadership to the rescue team.
The fire service urged members of the public to avoid entering rivers or other bodies of water during confrontations or emergencies, advising residents to prioritise their safety and contact the appropriate emergency response agencies for assistance.
Muhammed also called on residents to remain calm during disputes and allow trained emergency personnel to handle dangerous situations.
The service said the search operation remained ongoing and assured the public that its personnel would continue efforts to locate the missing man.
It added that further updates would be provided as more information became available.
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